Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-03-02
eleventh ANNUAL SESSION.

The morning trains brought q few, but D5
the afternoon, on both railroads on the
Gath OF February, came the greater number o
delegates, numbering about $50. to the 18th an
nual State Convention OF the Young Mems
Christian Association which assembled In this
city that night Before the time for commenc
ing, the Lutheran Church. where the opening
was TO take place. was thropged with delegates
and visitors MI. Fl. D. Peck, President of the
Staunton Association, called to order and com
menced the exercises with praise service, sing
ing and reading from the End chapter of the
Epistle to the Colossians Rev. Mr.. Settlemeyer
pastor OF the Lutheran church. leading In pray
err In looking over the assemblage 1t was OBJ.
served that there was a large number of young
men in the delegations.
Mr.. Peck, in a brief and happy address. intro
duced Major Jed Hotchkiss. who had been
chosen to deliver the address of welcome. TIC
those familiar with the ready and practical
talents of the speaker for such work. can well
concieye the order and style of the experienced
lecturer and statisiieian on an occasion like
this. when the hospitality ofhis city was In his
hands to offer the Christian band who had
come htther with banners upfurled and their
motto to save the IS per cent. of the young
men who were not enrolled under its folds
The intense silence of the assemblage and the
close attention from strangers as they caught
the sentiments conveyed to them from the
Staunton brotherhood diffused feeling which
has ripened into brotherly and Christian af-
lection that will long linger in the hearts and
memories of all who were there.
Mr.. Peck. explaining the order of proceeding
called Captain L. L Marks. of Petersburg, the
President of the last annual convention, to
take the chair for the purpose of the temporary
organization of the body. Captain Marks re-
sponded, and, in assuming the trust, said the
first thing in order would be to make suitable
response TO their welcome to Staunton. His
heart had been touched by the words of Ma
Jor Hotchk ISIS. and he knew every member oil
the convention felt as he did. and he desired
that general response should be made to it.
and called on Mr. Fl. NJ. Clarke. the General
Secretary of the Richmond Association. This
was done by the Speakerin a felicitous man.
ner, adding that among the general pleasures
all would enjoy during their sojourn In the
Valley City. bis own would be heightened with
special delight In association with Mr.. Nc
Ilhany. MIR. Cochran, and others of the work
ing band be could name.
Captain Marks was made temporary chair
man, and E, Pendleton Jones, of Richmond,
temporary secretary The Chair announced the
following Committees, a resolution having been
agreed to for their appointment
On permanent organization, W. G.. Ludwig,
of Washington and Lee Association, j. w. Rey-
noids of Norfolk, and c. ]. Smoot, of Alexan-
dria.
The topic for discussion during the time oc-
cupied in arranging for the permanent organi
zatlon flor 1t will be borne 10 mind the body
never loses minute OF time) was Association
Work-its claims upon business men," The one
selected to deliver this address being unavoid-
ably detained. that ever-ready and cultured
Christian gentleman, Hon. ]. Taylor Ellyson,
OF Richmond, was chosen to occupy the stand,
and in thought. motive for action. and result of
OF business and religious gain, the men of bust
ness who are patrons OF this Institution had a
glowing review of the value OF their aid to
young men and to their own good as the full
words OF the Speaker deeply impressed the au-
dience
Mr.. b. o. Williams, State Secretary, then
made report of the work through the State
since his connection with 1t.
Other Committees for the proper working Of
the body were here announced, after which
under the head OF Informal reception and talk
to workers." Messrs. s. B. Woods, of Charlottes-
vile, Lckider. of Lynchburg, Clarke, Miller,
of Roanoke. Jones and others made brief ad-
dresses.
The Committee on permanent organ ization
reported as follows: For President, g. Woods
Charlottesville; First Vice President, ]. Taylor
Ellyson, Richmond Second Vice President, ].
J. Shirley, Staunton; Third Vice President, J.
A. B. Spear, Roanoke College; Secretary, r. f.
Turner. of Norfolk Assistant Secretary, E. NJ.
Stokes, University of Virginia. The report OF
the Committee was adopted, and the perna
nent officers informed that they would occupy
their positions the next morning.
After the announcement OF the business for
the following day, the convention adjourned
with the benediction by Rev. DIR. Mcfarland.
Second Day.
Morning Sesston-The Convention assembled
at the morning hour the President, Mr.. g. B.
Woods. in the Chair, and the permanent off.
GERS in their places.
The first work was course of instruction by
the Training Glass;" under the leadership OF
Mr.. ID. NJ. Clark e, of Richmond. This class
was made up as their names were called and
came from different parts of the State-T A :.
Johnson, F. c. Johnson c. Fl. Younger, E. P.
Jones, Geo. s. Crenshaw, E T. Dadmun. j. Nc.
Lain brown, G. Almond Miller, R. E. Moore
Porter Hardy. E. M. Stiers and occupied seats
In front of the Convention. The peculiar al d
lmporsant work of the Training Glass" to al
Associa. ons was explained by the leader and
then he proceeoed to explain the Bible in its
Compiations of HistoIy, Ecclesiastical ,Poetical,
Prophetical and the writings of the New
Testament, &C, calling each member of The
class to answe' questions in which the names
of the writers, lime occupied and volume o
texts exempliti ling a course OF instruction and
aims directly Instituted for tn benefit of younl
men which were commented en- by a number
n mo ami ara md
had drawn A-a-,Iued attention.
Tne following committees were then an
nounced -
Devotional Exercises Miller. of Roapok.
College; Hardy. Petersburg; McIlhapy, Slaun.
ton.
Business-Messrs Dadmun of Norfolk: Scott
of the University and Coon Of Roanoke,
Executive Repcrls-Elyson Scott of Alex.
andria; Yates. OF Lynchburg and Peck
Credentials-Cochran, of Stanton; johnson
ofLynchburg, and Thomas, of Charlottesville
Neutrality-suspicious., of Luray Bishop, OF
Richmond. and Hooks, of University.
The next topic for. discussion was New
flans-~hat have been tried with SUGGEST
which was Iulty responded to by Mr.. Lick lider
General Secretary. of Lynchburg. He also
drew from other members a large amount ,
information 10y enquiries which were prom ptl,
answered by several of the College, Norfolk
and other delegates.
reports were then received from the Asso-
Citations, except from the colleges which will
be made at the night session. These reports
embraced number OF members, and all the
statistics to compile full and clear exhibit OF
those bodies. including buildings, libraries.
finances, &c. The Stanton and GreenyIlIe
the two associations in Augusta county, mad,
excellent reports, and were SO pronounced b,
the State Secretary, who promised Greenvin
visit in the near future. Adjourned.
afternoon SesSion.-Under the head of "Bible
Reading" Mr.. T. A. Johnson, of Lynchburg,
taking as his subject the "Christian Walk
conducted that feature of the Instructions
exercises.
The next topic-"What can the Association
do for boys ?"-was handled with an experi
enced masters hand by MIR. J. McLain Brown
OF Charlottesville. who has an organization OF
boys auxiliary to the town Association 1t wa,
represented on the floor of the Convention b,
youths who took an appropriate place in til.